A stage hoist motor assembly includes a first electric motor including a first brake and a second electric motor including a second brake. The first electric motor and the second electric motor are stacked one atop the other within a common plane. A cable winch is rotatable about a winch axis and includes a cable winch shaft that is driven by the first and second electric motors through respective ones of a first drive coupling and a second drive coupling. A width of the motors is less than a width of the winch. Moreover, the motors are stacked one atop the other within a common plane to provide a compact foot print that is favorable to use in performance venue environments.

A lift system configured to lift an article (e.g., a batten). The lift system includes a first cable configured to be coupled to the article, a second cable configured to be coupled to the article, a drive mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and operable to raise and lower the article, a first loft block including a first loft sheave to redirect the first cable from a first substantially horizontal axis to a first substantially vertical axis, and a guide member to direct the second cable along a second substantially horizontal axis. The lift system further includes a second loft block including a second loft sheave to redirect the second cable from the second substantially horizontal axis block to a second substantially vertical axis.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A lift system for lifting a load includes a counterweight, a base unit, a fly line, a load line, and pulleys. The base unit includes a movable cam assembly coupled to a fixed frame. The cam assembly includes a cam member that is rotatable relative to a carriage of the cam assembly. The cam assembly can be moved between first and second positions relative to the frame member, and prevents movement of the fly line through the base unit in the first position, while movement of the fly line through the base unit is allowed when the cam assembly is in the second position.

A display panel system is provided and includes a plurality of planar polygonal display panels, each display panel removably connectible along at least one edge to an edge of an adjacent display panel with connectible zipper assemblies. Each display panel system may be composed of uniform material or of various materials. The display panel system may be draped as desired by use of suspension mechanisms and rigging lines.

An arbor trap apparatus for use with a counterweight rigging system having at least one counterweight arbor. The apparatus may include a trap housing for attachment to a support structure, and at least one catch blade for attachment to the counterweight arbor. The catch blade may enter the trap housing as the counterweight arbor moves generally towards the trap housing, and the trap housing may engage the catch blade to prevent the counterweight arbor from moving generally away from the trap housing. The trap housing may transfer load from the counterweight arbor to the support structure and prevent a runaway.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like in a performance environment. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overload sensor and/or a slack line detector. The system may be provided in the form of a point hoist. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc.

A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like, often in a performance environment. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overspeed detector, which may comprise a centrifugal detection mechanism coupled to an elongate member of the system; dampening means; a compact mechanism for trimming or adjusting an operative length of elongate member; stabilizing pipe shaft bearings; elongate member diverter pulley mechanisms load balancing termination points. Additional features include various alternative combination hoist implementations and orientations, and alternative incorporated attachment mechanisms for use with the hoist system.

A system that comprises a winch apparatus for manipulating loads associated with public performances, such as performances involving performers and staging equipment, and in which one or more ribbons are deployed each of which is windable around, and unwindable from, a drum, a spool, or other take-up device. Also included is a ribbon for an arrangement via which electrical power can be supplied to a load via a suspension member, such as a band or cable, while movement of the load occurs via deliberate winding up of the band or cable onto the drum or sheave or unwinding of the band or cable from the drum or sheave. The ribbon includes an electrical lead portion having one or a plurality of individual electrical leads and a sheath portion. The sheath portion and the electrical lead portion are moveable with respect to each other.